Singapore and Norway Launch Joint Research Grant for Decarbonization

The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Research Council of Norway (RCN), and the Singapore Maritime Institute (SMI) have launched a joint research grant call to develop technological solutions for the decarbonization of international shipping.

The initiative, which builds on a Memorandum of Understanding signed in April 2024, focuses on three critical pillars: alternative fuels and energy infrastructure, vessel energy efficiency, and the digitalization of greener shipping operations. SMI will provide up to S$2.7 million for Singapore-based research partners, while RCN has committed up to NOK 20 million for Norwegian participants.

Mandatory Cross-Border Collaboration

A distinctive requirement of the grant is that every proposal must involve research institutions and industry partners from both Singapore and Norway. This structure is designed to ensure that research outcomes address practical industry needs and are applicable across different operational environments.

By mandating industry involvement from both nations, the program effectively creates a bridge between two of the world’s most influential maritime innovation hubs. For shipowners and technology providers, this reduces the risk of developing localized solutions that lack the scale or interoperability required for global trade. The collaboration ensures that technologies tested in the North Sea and the Malacca Strait are compatible, potentially facilitating smoother adoption for vessels operating on the critical Asia-Europe trade lane.

Targeted Operational Improvements

The scope of the call extends beyond theoretical research into tangible operational enhancements. Key focus areas include the safety and handling of alternative marine fuels, bunkering technologies, and the advancement of charging infrastructure for electric vessels. On the digital front, the grant prioritizes voyage optimization, just-in-time arrivals, and autonomous operations to reduce emissions through improved ship-port data exchange.

This is the third such collaboration between the two nations, following previous calls in 2015 and 2018 that funded projects in maritime energy efficiency and emissions reduction. Selected projects under the new call may receive funding for up to four years, providing a long-term runway for complex technological development.

Applications for the grant are scheduled to open on 2 December 2026 and will close on 20 January 2027.

Source: MPA Singapore